Brake-hanger-supporting means



March 3, 1931. w. o. MOODY 1,795,033

BRAKE HANGER SUPPORTING IEANS Filed Sept. 11, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Invent);

March 3, 1931. w, o, MQIODY 1,795,033

BRAKE HANGER SUPPORTING MEANS Filed Sept. 11, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Mar. 3, 1931 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM 0. MOODY, ora GRANGE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, or- CHE-HALF r0 n Io s RAILWAY EQUIPMENT COMPANY, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS :Bn -E- IANeR-sUrron'rING MEANS Application filed September 11, 1925. Serial No.55,702.

My invention relates to supporting means for the hangers of brakes onrailroad cars and locomotive tenders, namely means whereby the hangersor links, which pendently hold the brake beams in place, are pivotallyse cured to the side frames of the truck.

In present 'accepted'railway practice, the

truck side frames comprise a one piece structure and are made of cast orpressed steel provided'with'apertured lugs adjacent to the intermediatevertical compression members which provide the spring receiving pocketportion of the truck-side frame; the apertured lugs being intended forthe purpose of receiving arod or long pin which. is

, adapted to passthrougheach apertured lug of the truck side frame,while'the ends of the pin also pass through eyes or openings in thebrake hanger. The'type of hanger adapted for use with the constructionof side frame just described consists of a U-shaped link which is madeto straddle the lug on the side frame. One endof thepin is usually aformed with ahead while the other isaper tured to receive a split'pin orcotter. Asis apparent from this construction, the rod or pin has-asingle'bearing at an intermediate point in'the apertur'ed lug..Thismethod has also-been f ound objectionable because ofdifficultyresulting from the loss of' the split pins or cotters andthe'consequent dissociation of themembers, thereby permitting thebrake-heads and shoes to drop'down.

My invention has for itsobject the provision of a construction adapted.to overcome these objections; a construction which will provide greaterbearing surface for the hanger supporting pin, while at the same timeobviating the necessity for cotter-pins or split keys.

Another object of my inventionisto provide means whereby-the hangerswill be securely held in pivotal relation with the truck side frame andaccidental'removal of the hanger or its supporting trunnion or pin madeimpossible, while at the same time permitting the hanger to. be readilyremoved should occasion'require;

Another object of'my inventlon 1s to provide means whichipermitsatheoptionaluse of different types of hangers, as for example the U-shapedhanger mentioned or a continuous type in the nature of a link, which,for reasons of strength, railroads desire to employ, but which thepresent type of truck side frames does not permit. 3/ y inventionenables this type of link hanger to be used without necessitating anymaterial change in the side frame construction, and permits easyapplication to the side frame and the substitution of one type of hangerfor the other.

The above enumerated objects and advans tages, as well as otheradvantages inherent in the constructions will all be more readilycomprehended from the following detailed description of the drawings,wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevationof a truck side frame provided with one formof my improved hanger supporting means; the truck springs, brake beamsand other elements of a truck being omitted, as they form no part of myinvention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional viewtaken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4: is a detail sectional view similar to Figure 3, illustrating aslight modification ofthe construction shown'in Figures 1 to 3.

\ Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of the truck side frame, takensubstantially 0n the same line as Figure 2, illustrating a modified formof brake hanger.

Figure 6 is a similar sectional elevation of the truck side frame,showing a modification As the general truckside frame construc tionforms no part of my invention, a detail description will not be enteredinto, except elements, or what constitutes the inner orv Wheel side ofthe frame, are each providedv with a laterally disposed integral flangeor projection 16,- see Figure 2, at the upper end of an integral webportion 17. The flange or projection'16 and web 17 extend slightly beyond the vertical plane of the truck wheels, in order that thebrake-head and shoe, generally indicated at 18 in Figure 1, may be inaligna ment with the tread of the wheel.

' In the construction illustrated in Figure 2, the web portion 17 isshown provided with the laterally disposed lugs 19 and 20 20,

'formed integral therewith. The lugs are arranged in spaced relation andhorizontal alignment, to provide the intervening spaces 21, 21 forpassage of portions or the sides of the hanger 22. The hanger 22 in thisconstructionis in the nature of a continuous link,

possessing greater strength than the type of hanger at present in use.The lower end of the link hanger enters a slot, usually formed in theforward face of the brake-head, before the-shoe is secured to thebrake-head; the brake-head with the shoe pivoting on the hanger 22. Theupper surfaces of the lugs 19 and 20,20 are provided with transversesockets or semi-cylindrical grooves as shown at 23 in Figure 3 and indotted lines in Figure 2, to providea pocket for the upper rounded endof the hanger 22. The groove in the center lug 19is extendedthroughoutthe top ofthe lug and therefore open ended, while the groove in each ofthe lugs 20 is closedat the end disposed away from the lug 19.,by

means of the end flange or wall 24. The in termediate lug 19 isprovidedwith a complementary member 25, shown. in detail in Figure 8. Thiscomplementary member 25 as shown constitutes a top or closure for thegroove 23 of lug 19 and comprisesthe base portion 26, adapted-to extendsubstantially flush with the top of the lug 19 and with its lower faceprovided with a semi-cylindrical groove corresponding with the groove 23in lug 19. The upper face of the member 25 as well as the verticallydisposed portion 27 is shown provided with a socket 28 to receivethe'head of a bolt 29 which passes through an opening in the verticalportion 27 of the member 25 and also through a registering hole in'theweb portion 17 of the side frame, see Figure 3 the outer end of the boltbeing preferably provided with a nut as at 30; VJith the complementarymember 25 in'place, the

type shown in Figures 1, 2 and 9, the lugs 20,

2O perform no special function; these lugs, however, being employedtopermit substitutional use of the type of hanger shown in Figure 10,consisting of the U-shaped link 31, the ends whereof are shown enlargedand apertured at 32. The type of hanger shown in Figure is supported inplace by means of a rod or long pin 33, see Figure 5, disposed throughthe apertures 32 at the ends of the U-shaped hanger 31. Asshown'inFigure 5, the rod or pin 33 rests in the grooves formed in the upperfaces of the lugs 19, 20, and the pin is prevented from moving in alongitudinal direction by the end walls 2 1 of lugs 20, 20. The pin 33in this construction is held in the groove by the complementary member25, which is similar to that shown in Figure 2 and previously described;the complementary member being shown bolted to the web 17 of the sideframe by means of the bolt 29. For the sake of lightness andcheapnessthecomplementary member is merely coextensive with the lug 19. 1 I

Instead of having, the complementary member bolted tothe web portion ofthe side frame as shown in Figures 2'and 5, it may be bolted or securedto the horizontally disposed flange portion 16 as shown invFigure 4,where the overhanging portion or flange 34 of the complementary memberis shown with a bolt-receiving opening leading upwardly from the socket28. The socket 28 is preferably made of vertical depth but slightlygreater thanthe thickness of the nut on the bolt 29, so that the nutwill be prevented from entirely screwing off the bolt throughvibration'and loss of the nut therefore prevented. This constructionmay, of course, be used in connection with either type of hanger shown;in*the one instance, the

complementary member will fit across the top of the continuouslink typeof hanger 22,

while in the other instance it will fit across the top of the rod or pin.33.

In Figures 6 and 7 I illustrate the embodiment of my invention in aunitary structure or casting,independent of the side frame, consistingof the base portion 35, preferably shown provided with threebolt-receiving holes '36; the holes adjacent to the ends of thecastingbeing adapted-T to receive the bolts 37, 37 adapted to passthrough'registering holes made in the web portion l7'of the side frame,while the center hole is adapted to receive the bolt 29 whereby thecomplementary member 25 is secured in place after the casting has beenbolted in place and the link hanger 22, or the pin 33 inserted throughthe hanger 31, has been positioned.

The casting or unit shown in Figures 6 and 7 is provided with theintegral lugs 38 and 39, 89, which are similar to the lugs 19 and 20, 20and spaced apart in the same manner to provide passage for the arms ofthe hanger, whether of the link type shown in Figure 9 or of the U-shapetype shown in Figure 10. As the base portion of the unit type shown inFigure 7 is provided with the center boltreceiving hole 36, it is apparent that the complementary member 25 should be of the type shown inFigures 2 and 3; although, if desired, the complementary member 25 maybe provided with the bolt-receiving hole as r shown in Figure 4, inwhich event the top flange 16 of the side frame portion must be providedwith a registering hole and the web portion 17 of the side frame merelyprovided with two holes to receive the bolts 37. With the constructionshown in Figures 6 and 7, the web 17 of the side frame is preferablyprovided with a rib or flange at to provide support for the supportingmeans'in addi tion to the bolts.

As the side frames as now in use are provided with flange andreenforcing web portions adjacent to the vertically disposedintermediate compression members and spring pocket forming portions 15,it is apparent that my unitary hanger supporting means shown in Figures6 and 7 may be readily applied to truck side frames now in use andeither type of hanger may be employed. Where the railroad is suppliedwith the type of lJ-shaped hanger shown in Figure 10, this equipment maybe employed, a stronger and more durable structure obtained, as with myimproved supporting means, the necessity of providing the rod or'pin 33with a cotterpin receiving opening therethrough is unnecessary and theuse of cotter-pins also ob- V viated. As a result the undue wearresulting from the present method of supporting the brake hangers iseliminated and the continual loss of cotter-pins is avoided. At the sametime the replacement of the U-shape type of hanger by the type of linkhanger shown in Figure 9 is made possible without necessitating areconstruction of the side frame. In other words, my invention asdisclosed in Figures 6 and 7 gives the option of using either type ofhanger with equipment at present in use. The types shown in Figures 1 to5 would, of course, require the side frame to have the lugs 19 and 20,20 formed integral therewith, or to be welded or otherwise securedthereto.

lVhere it is desired to merely employ the type of hanger shown in Figure9, namely the continuous link, the two side lugs or bracket members 20,20 may be eliminated; and where it is intended to apply my improved typeof supporting means to trucks in use, the lug or bracket member 19 withits top portion or complementary member 25 may be made integral andbolted to the web portion of the side. frame after the link 22 has beeninserted into the groove formed in the rear face of themember or lug.

I have shown and described what I believe to be the best adaptations ofmy invention; having described the same in terms of de scription and notas terms. of limitation as structural modifications are possible and maybe madewithout, however departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. Brake hanger supporting means comprising, in combination with a truckside frame provided with a laterally extending projection, the side ofthe projection disposed toward the wheels of the truck having alaterally disposed lug provided with a transverse groove on its upperface, and a complementary member having upper and lower portions adaptedto fit above said lug, the lower portion being disposed horizontallyacross the groove with its outer end terminating at the outer end of thelug while the upper portion fits against the side projection and isremovably secured thereto.

2. In brake hanger supporting means, a truck side frame provided with alaterally projecting portion provided with a laterally disposed lug,said lug being grooved. on its upperface and having seating surfaces onopposite sides of the groove, and complement'ary means seatedon saidsurfaces intermedi= ateof the outer end of said lug and the verticalface of said projecting portion and adapted to be removably secured tosaid proj eeting portion.

' 3. Imcombination with a truck side frame having a laterally extendingvertically disposed flanged arm and a brake hanger, complementaryelements arranged on the vertical face of said arm and beneath theflange thereof, oneof said elementsbeing grooved toprovi'de a soc retadapted to receive one end of thebrake hanger or its supporting pin, atleast one of said elements being removably secured to said arm with itsupper end beneath-the flange of said arm.

4. In combination with a truck side frame having a laterally extendingand vertically disposed arm provided with a flange at its top and abrake hanger, complementary elements arranged on the vertical face ofthe arm beneath the flange, one of said elements being socketed toreceive one end of the brake hanger or its supporting pin, while theother element seats on said first element across said socket, saidelement having a vertical portion adapted to lie beneath said flange,and

means whereby said element is removably secured to the arm.

5. In combination with a truck side frame having a laterally disposedarm and a brake hanger, socket providing lugs extending outwardly fromthe vertical side of said arm Whereby the brake hanger is suspended inplace, and a keeper member arranged above said lugs and seatable thereonintermediate of the outer ends of the lugs and the vertical side of saidarm, a portion of said member extending flush with said vertical sideand adapted to be removablysecured to said arm.

6. Brake hanger supporting means, comprising in combination with a truckside frame having laterally disposed lugs arranged in horizontalalignment and in spaced relation, the tops of said lugs beingtransversely grooved, With the outer ends of the end lugs closed, andatransversely grooved block adapted to fit across the top of the brakehanger or its supporting pin to pivotally lock the hanger or pin in thegrooves of the lugs. v

7. Brake hanger supporting means, comprising in combination abrake-hanger and a truck side frame having a. laterallydisposed portionvertically slottedto receive the sides of the brake hangers and providedwith a lateral groove terminating short of the ends of said portion,said groove being adapted to receiveone end of the brake hanger or 'itssupportlng p1n, and removable means adapted to lock the brake hanger orits supporting pinv in place.

8. In combination with a truck side frame having alaterally extendingvertically disposed flanged arm and a brake hanger, complementaryelements arranged on the vertical face of said arm and beneath theflange thereof, one of said elements having horizontally disposed spacedlugs grooved transversely to provide a socket adapted to receiveone'endof the brake hanger or its supporting pin, the groove beingarranged to provide seating surfaces on opposite sides, the other ofsaid elements having a horizontally disposed bottom adapted to rest onsaid seating surfaces on opposite sides of the groove in theintermediate lug, While the upper parts of saidelements are removablysecured to said arm With the upper ends beneath the flange WILLIAM O.MOODY.

.of said arm.

as r

